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Frequently asked questions
Straightforward answers to the most common questions we receive
Have a chat with your Village Manager. In most cases, your home can be redecorated to your tastes in consultation with the Village Manager, at your own cost.
Capital Sum
The Capital Sum is the price paid for the Occupation Right Agreement (ORA)* to secure your right to occupy the unit of your choice within any Metlifecare village. The Capital Sum varies according to the size and location of the unit you choose. Once all the conditions have been met, the Capital Sum is required to be paid on settlement.
* An Occupation Right Agreement is a legal document that gives you the right to occupy that unit and sets out the terms of your occupation.
Management Fee
The Management Fee, also referred to as the Deferred Management Fee (DMF), provides you with a raft of essential village and dwelling services. These include:
- The refurbishment of your unit after you leave
- The re-licensing of your unit including all marketing activity
- Legal and settlement fees
- Long-term village maintenance
- Community facility chattels
For independent living units and serviced apartments, the Management Fee is capped at 30% of the original Capital Sum of your unit, with the 30% being accrued monthly at 10% per year for the first three years of occupancy. It is payable on the termination of your ORA, by way of deduction from the original price (i.e. the Capital Sum) of your unit.
Village Fee
When you live in a village you pay a Village Fee. This is a consolidated fee that captures costs such as council rates, water rates, building insurance, the upkeep of community facilities, gardening services, salaries and wages of the staff and village operations. This may vary slightly from village to village, so it's best to check which services are included within the fee and which ones you'll need to organise yourself.
By paying a Village Fee, the hassle of paying existing multiple bills is eliminated – one fee takes care of it all. Our transparent weekly fee is reviewed once per year and won't increase more than the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), helping to give you certainty over your annual outgoings.
Your own costs
Metlifecare is generally responsible for repairs/ maintenance to operator’s interior fittings and fixtures, except if damage is due to carelessness or negligence. Ask our sales team to clarify these details.
You will be responsible for the costs of utilities to the unit, such as power, internet and telecommunications, as well as motor vehicle insurance if you have a vehicle. We also recommend you maintain contents insurance for your possessions.
If you have an accident and need immediate attention, all our villages (except at Kapiti Village) have strategically placed emergency call buttons in your home which you simply press and your call will be responded to. Where an illness is of a temporary nature, if you're not already receiving additional services, meals and other helpful services may be arranged to assist – depending on the help you need. We aim to help you recover quickly and comfortably which can be reassuring to you and your family. This service is provided on a “user pays” basis.
On termination of your Occupation Right Agreement (ORA), Metlifecare is responsible for all refurbishment costs of your unit. You may be responsible for any damage beyond fair wear and tear and any agreed reinstatement costs.
Your village fees will cease as soon as Metlifecare is provided with vacant possession of your unit. If it takes longer than nine months to re-license, we will pay you interest on the outstanding capital. Plus you can apply for an early repayment of up to $20,000 of the capital sum when your unit is vacated.
Yes you can. We won’t charge you transfer fees if you transfer from an independent living unit to a serviced apartment. Otherwise, we’ll discuss the transfer costs involved, and agree these with you.
If you do choose to leave, simply write to the Village Manager expressing your wish to terminate your Occupation Right Agreement (ORA). One month after receiving the letter, your ORA will be terminated and Metlifecare will endeavour to re-license your unit. Following the re-licensing you will be refunded the original purchase price less the accrued management fee.
Lock up and leave with peace of mind and the freedom to come and go as you please. We will maintain the grounds, clear your letterbox and manage security while you're away.
Yes. A summary of the village company’s audited annual financial statements is presented at the Annual General Meeting of the village. The village company’s Annual Report, including audited financial statements and the interim financial statements (unaudited), are available to residents on request.
Yes of course, this is your home. When you move into a Metlifecare village we understand it is important to maintain your family and social ties. In independent living units, family members or friends are able to stay for a combined total of 90 days per year. Longer stays require the agreement of the Village Manager.
When you move into a Metlifecare village you will have peace of mind knowing an independent Statutory Supervisor has been appointed to each village. The role of the Statutory Supervisor is to monitor the financial position of the village to ensure that Metlifecare meets its obligations to you and there is a Deed of Supervision in place which governs the relationship between the Statutory Supervisor and Metlifecare. The Statutory Supervisor also holds a first ranking security over the village land. The Residents’ Committee also meets regularly with the manager and can raise any issues on behalf of residents.
If you have been assessed as requiring ‘rest home level care’ by a Needs Assessment and Service Coordinator (NASC) you may be eligible for a government subsidy to assist with paying for care. Subsidies for care are means tested by Work and Income on application and take into account your income and assets. Please call WINZ on 0800 559 009 for advice and assistance with your application. If you prefer, speak to us and we can help assist you with this process.
When you live at an established Metlifecare village you pay a village fee to cover costs, such as council rates, water rates, building insurance, external maintenance, the upkeep of the community facilities, gardening, salaries of the staff and village operations. This simplifies your expenses into one easy to manage weekly fee, leaving you free to select your own phone, personal contents insurance and electricity providers according to your preference.
One of the biggest worries retirees have is whether a care bed will be available when it’s needed. Unfortunately, there is a well-documented shortage of care beds in New Zealand and, because care beds are allocated according to need and demand is difficult to predict, we can’t always guarantee that a care bed will be available straight away. Metlifecare is proactively developing more care homes to extend our offering and we encourage you to contact us about your needs as early as possible. We’ll do our very best to help.
This is on our Metlifecare's care supplier page.
Choosing the right retirement living option for your loved one can be overwhelming, but it's important to consider factors such as their health, mobility, social needs, and budget. Researching different options and touring facilities can also help you make an informed decision.
You will need to contact a lawyer or the Public Trust to set up your Enduring Power of Attorneys. You will need an EPOA for Personal Care & Welfare and an EPOA for Property. These are legal documents that decide who will take care of your personal or financial matters if you are unable to do so.
Still need more information?
We're here to answer any questions you might have. Check out our free MetGuides, or get in touch with one of our friendly, experienced team.